NOBODY is questioning or disputing the appointment of Tun Musa Aman as the governor of Sabah. It was all done properly and constitutionally.
But that’s not the issue. The furore is over appointing a person who has a previous corruption case to his name.
The post of governor – although largely ceremonial – does carry a lot of weight and importance, hence the person who occupies it must indeed be someone of impeccable character.
Although Musa was acquitted of the graft charges against him, it does not mean that his slate has been wiped completely clean.
For the record, Musa was acquitted of all 46 charges laid against him for corruption and money laundering in connection with the award of logging contracts when he was the then chief minister.
This black episode will not go away easily because there will always be a reference to this case whenever an article is written about him at home or abroad.
This indelible stain is what the Malaysian public will not forget despite his exalted position now.
Perhaps, it is time Malaysia scrutinised seriously the background of any person nominated for any high public office.
A public office is a much-coveted post because it carries prestige, dignity and power. The public will invariably treat the occupant with great respect and even awe.
But when a stain – no matter how tiny is found on that person’s character – the office too will become tainted. The repercussion can be damaging to the country’s reputation.
It would be difficult for that person to hold his head high in any official function when whispers about his sullied past make the round behind his back.
At a time when Malaysia is engaged in a “mortal combat” against corruption, it behoves the country to assure itself that nobody can hold a public position if he has an unenviable past.
The fight against corruption will be rendered meaningless if only lip service is the order of the day.
Get serious, Malaysia. Don’t create a precedent where anyone can warm the seat of a public office even if he has a blemish on his name.
“Corruption does not pay” must the guiding principle at all times as the country enters the new year that can be fraught with many challenges and uncertainties. – Dec 24, 2024
Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar/Facebook
